All In a Week

We finally got our new octagonal trampoline installed. It was quite an ordeal. Once we removed the old circular trampoline I measured the pit several times-- 15 feet in diameter. The trampoline specialists assured me that we should order and install the 15 foot trampoline. Well after we picked it up, assembled it, and moved it into the pit we realized that it wasn't going to fit. So, we did something we should have done earlier-- measure. The 15 foot trampoline actually had a diameter of 15 feet, 6 inches. No wonder it didn't fit! We disassembled it, returned it to the store, and started the process over with a 14 foot trampoline. The good news is that we have a beautiful, safe, new trampoline now (and Ruby REALLY enjoys it). Unfortunately, there is still a slight gap between the mats and the pit, but it is as good as it is going to get without doing major renovations to the pit itself.





Later in the week we found a patio furniture set at a decent price (we'd been looking diligently for the past few months), so we spent Saturday night (and some of Sunday morning) assembling a table and six chairs. The estimated assembly time was 60 minutes. The estimate was off by about 3 hours, but it looks fantastic and we are really enjoying al fresco dinning.



And our last major project of the week was painting Ruby's room. We tackled it on Brandon's day off, which also happened to be Pioneer Day. This only posed a problem when we ran out of paint at 2 in the afternoon and realized that the paint store was closed for the holiday. Of course a national chain store would be closed on a Utah state holiday! Oye-- I wish a diy project would go smoothly for us at least every once in awhile! Anyway, the color is perfect. By the end of next week we hope to have her chandelier installed, the vinyl tree up on the wall, and all her pictures hung. We're on a roll...

Family Reunion 2011

We're back from the Linford Family Reunion. This year it was held in Brian Head, Ut at a beautiful and spacious cabin (thank goodness that we had enough bathrooms for everyone this time around). We drove atvs around (and some drove them into things like trees), went on nature walks, rode horses, visited, played Settlers of Catan, complained about taking family pictures, but mostly we just enjoyed hearing Grandma and Grandpa's stories and watching the little ones play together. The worst part was that I felt crummy and couldn't sleep almost the entire time we were gone (hence, the lack of picture taking effort). Brandon thinks it might have been altitude sickness. Unsure... Anyway, I'm so glad that we stayed for the whole extended weekend because when we started packing to leave Ruby professed, "No, I want to stay here forever with my cousins." So, sweet. Maybe we could convince some of them to relocate closer to us?

Ruby's First Trip to the Dentist

Our pediatrician recommended that we take Ruby for her first dental well check between 2.5 and 3 years old. I decided that sooner was better than later in case she had any cavities, so I made the appointment around her half birthday. In the weeks preceding her visit I really tried to talk up the dentist. I told her how nice he was and explained what he would do (count her teeth, look in her mouth, let her choose a toy from his treasure box). Mission accomplished-- I made it seem so exciting that she requested to go several times before the actual day of her appointment.



When we got there she loved playing with the toys in the waiting room and meeting all the friendly workers in the office. After her cleaning and check up the dentist told her she was free to go and she said, "No, I want to stay here." Oh, boy! I'm glad she had a positive experience, but staying there seems a little over the top, right? BTW, her teeth were squeaky clean!!! I'm so relieved. (She loves to brush her teeth, but rarely lets me get a good scrubbing after she's done.) And now that the dentist gave her a package of flossers she's obsessed with them. She asks to floss several times a day. I guess there are worse problems. Hopefully oral hygiene is always this important to her.

4th of July

This Fourth of July I convinced my sister in law to run the Freedom 5k with me in SLC. It was so nice to have a running buddy. We finished the race in 35 minutes 42 seconds; which still isn't fast, but it is 4 and a half minutes quicker than I finished my last 5k (in April). Our mile average was 11 minutes and 30 seconds. Too bad she's moving to Washington DC for an internship in the fall. I was really hoping that she'd train with me for a 10k in October...







Brandon was a real trooper and got the kids up early and to the race in time to see me and Alyssa cross the finish line. Ahhhh, so sweet! I love hearing "Go Mommy!" as I'm running.





That afternoon we all took naps and then partied with my in-laws. Ruby loves to swim, but she especially loves it when the whole family is around to play with her!







We got the kids home just in time to watch fireworks from the window in our master bedroom. It was a lovely day (except for the neighbors who let their teenagers shoot fireworks-which are illegal in our neighborhood- on our lawn; but that's a story for another day...).

5 Month Update

Our gentle giant is 5 months old as of last Thursday. I've said this a million times, but he is so sweet and easy going. He loves to smile and laugh, but every time I get out the camera to document it the flash startles him and he quickly changes to a "deer in the headlights" expression.

He rolls from his back to his tummy, but hasn't made any progress rolling the other direction thus far. He has started pushing up when he's on his tummy and sometimes he even scrunches his little bum in the air like an inch worm. Maybe he'll crawl before he rolls completely?

At night we put him in his crib on his back and he quickly rolls to his tummy or side to get comfortable. Recently we discovered that he likes sleeping on a blanket on the floor. When he gets fussy we lay him down, rub his back for a few minutes, and usually he'll fall asleep for a few hours.

We gave him his first taste of rice cereal this last month, but he mostly mashed it around with his tongue and spit it back out. Nonetheless, I think he's going to get the hang of it soon and will be a little eating machine in no time.

He still loves to suck on his fist and sometimes he gets lucky and finds his thumb. No binkies for this baby.

Our little man is a little joy. Love him soooooo much!

Swimming lessons

Before Aunt Chelsea left for New York in June we begged her to give Ruby some private swim lessons. She was generous enough to squeeze in 6 lessons in a week and a half. At first Ruby was a little apprehensive, which is weird because she has always been fairly fearless when it comes to the pool. During the first two lessons we heard "No, Chelsea. Go away Chelsea. " A LOT. So, we had quite a few conversations about how to talk to Aunt Chelsea nicely and implemented a reward system (a cookie at the end of the lesson). From the third lesson on the rooster was a champ. She started saying "Okay Chelsea" and trying new things like floating and jumping in the pool, making "ice cream scoop arms," kicking, dunking her head under the water, monkey crawling on the pool wall, and climbing out using the elbow, elbow, knee, knee technique. When she got tired she'd say, "I'm ready for my cookie," but if the lesson wasn't over we'd convince her to stay in a little longer. Back floating made her a little nervous, so I'd sing the aquarium song from Baby Signing Time to her to help her relax. It worked so well that the day I couldn't be there to watch (I had a dentist appointment) she started singing it to herself! Hopefully this can be a yearly tradition. What do you say Aunt Chels?

California Road Trip, Part 2

Both Brandon and my dad are avid mountain bikers, so whenever they get together they make time for at least one ride. While we were in town Dad and Brandon hit the San Juan Trail.

My tough guy dad.

You can see the switchbacks in the background that they climbed to reach the peak.

During their ride I got together with my cousins and their children for a play date. We had a picnic lunch, and took the kids on the train and pony rides at Irvine Park. Ruby was delighted to have little folk to play with and I was delighted to catch up with my cute cousins.

Ashley, me, and Caitlin-- such cute girls

Riding the train at Irvine Park

Cousin Kelli and I wore matching shirts-- totally unplanned.

The oldest of the little cousins. They all decided to hold hands on their own. Isn't the innocence of childhood sweet?

While in town we also had our annual family bbq/pool party at my brother's place--it's always a highlight for us. There is nothing better than relaxing, eating, soaking up the sun, and visiting with family. Before we got in the pool we sat around visiting for a bit. When I finally went upstairs to put Roo's bathing suit on my 9 year old niece informed me that I might have a hard time getting Ruby out of the house. As I turned the corner into Lynsie's room I understood why-- Ruby was sitting on the floor with a lap full of ponies. When she saw me she looked up and said, "No, Mommy. I don't want to go swimming." Of course she changed her mind, but when we were leaving the pool the only thing that motivated her to leave was the promise of being able to play with Cousin Lynsie's toys again.

Pool party

Aunt Sue Sue and Wyatt-- BFFs

Papa Gary and the little man

After the pool party my awesome sister stayed late to babysit the kiddos so that the rest of the adults could attend my aunt and uncle's 50th wedding anniversary party. Isn't that an amazing accomplishment? We had a wonderful time catching up with my cousins and celebrating with my aunt and uncle. I can only hope that Brandon and I get at least 50 years together on Earth, too.

Aunt Sandi and Uncle Bill cutting their cake

My cousin in-laws Jennifer and Connie

My Dad with his big sister

Enjoying the catered tacos-- mmmmmm!

Dad and his big brother

I love my man

Me and my sis in-law

The next day we slept in (as much as the kids would allow), had a good breakfast, played at the park, and then hit the road again.

Ruby tried her first sprinkled doughnut while we were at my dad's house. She saw one in a book a few weeks before and talked about it quite a bit. Apparently the real thing was just as exciting as she expected it to be!

Early morning pool party with my step sister's daughters-- Maddie and Charlotte.

Only my Ruby Roo wears floaties in the baby pool!

Playing with the kids

Papa Gary and his groupies

Look at that smile-- it won't be long before Wyatt is into as much mischief as his big sis!

It was a great adventure. Tiresome, but great.